Ultimate Fighting Championship
In August 2009, it was announced he had signed with the UFC, with his first fight taking place against Vladimir Matyushenko on September 19, 2009, at UFC 103. [2] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Pokrajac next faced James Te-Huna on February 21, 2010, at UFC 110. [3] Pokrajac lost again, this time via third-round TKO, due to strikes. This loss was somewhat controversial, as Te Huna had Pokrajac in a modified crucifix position on the mat and landed five to six clean shots to Pokrajac's face and although Pokrajac was not able to defend himself from this position, he was signalling to the referee that he was okay, although the ref did not acknowledge this, and stopped the fight after the unanswered shots from Te Huna. Although visibly dazed, Pokrajac disputed the stoppage directly after the fight to no avail.
Pokrajac then faced James Irvin on August 1, 2010, at UFC on Versus 2. [4] Midway through the first round, Pokrajac took Irvin down and immediately got side control on the floor. After taking multiple strikes, Irvin rolled over and was submitted by a rear naked choke, handing Pokrajac his first UFC victory.
Pokrajac fought Stephan Bonnar on December 4, 2010, at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale. [5] Pokrajac lost a unanimous decision.
Pokrajac defeated Todd Brown on March 3, 2011, at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann by TKO at the conclusion of the first round. Brown was dropped by a knee in the final minute and hit with several clean follow up shots, being saved by the end of the round. When the fighters went back to their corners, Brown was unable to stand on his own power and the fight was stopped. [6]
Pokrajac was expected to face Krzysztof Soszynski on June 11, 2011, at UFC 131, replacing an injured Anthony Perosh. [7] However, Pokrajac was himself forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by returning UFC veteran Mike Massenzio. [8]
Pokrajac/Soszynski ultimately took place on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140. [9] Pokrajac defeated Soszynski via first-round KO.
Pokrajac was expected to face Thiago Silva on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier, replacing an injured Brandon Vera. [10] However, Silva was pulled from the bout to face Alexander Gustafsson on April 14, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 2 after Gustafsson's original opponent Antônio Rogério Nogueira pulled out of the bout citing an injury. [11] Pokrajac instead faced Fábio Maldonado at the event. [12] He won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 29–28).
Pokrajac was defeated by Vinny Magalhães via second round armbar on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152. [13]
Pokrajac next faced Joey Beltran on December 15, 2012, at UFC on FX 6, replacing an injured Anthony Perosh. [14] Pokrajac lost the fight via unanimous decision. However, on January 10, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had failed his post fight drug test, testing positive for nandrolone and the result of the bout was changed to No Contest. [15]
Pokrajac faced Ryan Jimmo at UFC 161 in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 15, 2013. [16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Pokrajac faced Rafael Cavalcante on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32. [17] He lost via submission due to strikes in the first round. [18]
Pokrajac faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58. [19] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after. [20]
